What’s in your lunchbox? Has your old standby portable lunch — turkey sandwich/banana/Luna bar — become a tired cliche of a meal? Do you crave the tasty take-out lunches available all over Jackson, yet lack the time needed to schlep around town in the middle of the day?

This year, resolve to shake up your lunchtime routine with fresh, healthy meals that you — and your kids — will look forward to. With my new column, Loving Your Lunchbox, I’ll help you out by designing lunches you’ll love. By packing a healthy lunch, you’ll save time and money. You’ll have more energy to get through the work day. I’ll even recommend a snack to get you over the 3 p.m. slump.

But first, you will need a decent lunchbox. This humble piece of gear transformed my working life back in the days when I had no time for lunch. Skipping lunch usually left me scrounging in the back of my desk for stale Clif bars, cranky and tired by the end of the day. Packing a lunch helped me breeze through the day with a series of healthy snacks, and an even-keeled blood sugar to match.

A lunchbox on your kitchen counter is a gentle reminder to plan ahead. It doesn’t have to be as adorable as mine — from Lily & Co. — but a good-looking lunchbox will surely raise your lunchtime morale. It should be deep enough to hold a Thermos and a drink.

Start thinking about packing your lunch when planning your suppers for the week. Cook an extra piece of salmon, chicken or fish. Reserve a few slices of flank steak. Make extra rice, beans, lentils, polenta, pasta or couscous. Have a bag of greens, washed and dried, wrapped in paper towels and ready to go. A few stalks of steamed broccoli, a handful of edamame, some roasted root vegetables — small servings of vegetables make for great lunchbox sides.

Have a few nice sauces on hand in the fridge: my quick Thai red curry sauce, spicy sake sesame dressing or creamy miso dressing, to name a few. All can be made in advance and keep well for several weeks in the fridge. Make a big batch of maple soy vinaigrette for creating many yummy salads (recipes follow at the end of the post).

Don’t forget to pack a treat, just a little nibble to reward yourself for eating a healthy lunch, getting halfway through the workday, and saving money by not eating out. If you pack lunch for your kids, you know that treats are essential to a successful lunch.

Packing lunch is best done the night before, not when you’re rushed in the morning to get to work on time. I like to pack lunches after dinner, as I am putting away leftovers and perusing the contents of the fridge. Ideally, you should have a good selection of microwaveable containers with tight-fitting lids.

This is the lunch I would pack on the days when I’m craving the Panang Salmon from Teton Thai. A pan-seared salmon filet, black beluga lentils, sticky purple rice, and small tub of Thai red curry sauce becomes a beautiful, healthy, and not-at-all boring midday meal.

Here’s the trick: The night before, briefly sear the salmon filet on each side in a very hot pan and a small amount of oil. The interior of the filet should still be raw, but it will cook up perfectly pink when reheated in the microwave for lunch the next day.

The day’s treat: A crisp apple precut and ready for dipping in Nutella. Small packets of Nutella can be found at Hungry Jack’s in Wilson.

My favorite salad dressing is known around here as "Emily's Dressing", after a local private chef who has since moved on to bigger and better things. This recipe has been requested by just about everyone I have ever served a salad with this yummy dressing. I like it tossed with roasted vegetables too...Brussels sprouts, beets, carrots and parsnips come to mind.

1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin or pure)

1/4 cup maple syrup

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 cloves garlic (average size), minced

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender, a food processor, or with an immersion blender until smooth.

Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Toss with mixed greens, sliced apples or pears, toasted nuts, and feta or goat cheese. Or just toss with roasted vegetables.

Sweet white miso paste gives this dressing its creamy, savory flavor. Miso paste is low in calories and sodium, and this is by far the healthiest of the dressings. It is perfect for drizzling over seared tofu, sushi rice and vegetables topped with pickled ginger and crispy nori.

About Author

A retired gynecologist turned food writer, Annie Fenn writes about food and life in Jackson Hole. Lately, she has been struggling to keep up with the caloric needs of her two soccer- and skiing-obsessed teenage boys. Find more of her recipes at www.jacksonholefoodie.com and follow her on Instagram @jacksonholefoodie for more frequent foodie inspiration.